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Alan Hinkes Q&A
Spring 2000
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Alan Hinkes is to attempt a new
route on the South-West face, and climb it solo! Alan Hinkes, the UK's most
successful high altitude mountaineer (by the numbers), has named the third highest
mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, as his target for Spring 2000. He leaves for Nepal
in a few days on his spring pre-monsoon 2000 expedition. Kangchenjunga was first climbed
in 1955 by a British expedition which included George Band. George had climbed on Everest
with Hillary and Tensing in 1953. He climbed Kanchenjunga using a route on the south-west
face which has not been climbed since that date. "George Band has given me some very
useful background about how he tackled Kangchenjunga," said Alan. "I will be
following in the footsteps of one of the great mountaineers of the 50s and 60s."
This is the Alan Hinkes Q&A:
Questions from the Staff at EverestNews.com and Insiders Members:
Q.) [EverestNews.com] What was your hardest mountain
to climb to date ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] K2.
Q.) [EverestNews.com] When is your plan to summit the
Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] ASAP. In reality
it is likely to be spring 2001. I would like to try to do both of these peaks in one
season, but that will be dependent on all sorts of factors.
Q.) [EverestNews.com] We heard once you finished with
the 14 you wanted to go back and do Everest without oxygen. Is this true ? and why ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Possibly, but I
will probably not go back and climb another 8000er. There are plenty of other challenges
around the world which I want to take on.
Q.) [EverestNews.com] Do you model your climbing
after anyone ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Not really - I do
it because I want to!
Q.) [EverestNews.com] You know some have been
critical of your climb of Cho Oyu. What do you have to say to them ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] I don't know of
any criticism - what is it?
Q.) [EverestNews.com] Who would be your favorite
climbing partner ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Eric
Clapton.....he strums a good chord.....
Q.) [EverestNews.com] What drives you to go after the
14 8000 meter peaks?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Yorkshire grit
Q.) [EverestNews.com] Do you think changes should be
made in climbing these big peaks?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Don't know what
you mean.
Q.) [EverestNews.com] If you were to advise someone
starting out climbing, what would your advise be ?
A.) [Alan Hinkes] Stay safe.
Actually the hills are too crowded already, so perhaps I would advise them not to start
climbing at all!!
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